Calling the lifetime ban “too much and unfair”, West Negros College has appealed the sanction on its basketball player, Jason Melarin, who had been tagged as the instigator of the brawl during the basketball quarterfinal game between WNC and St. Francis of Assisi College Friday.

Malot Lozada, the Unigames basketball tournament manager, has recommended an indefinite suspension on the 6-foot-3 Melarin in future Unigames competitions.

In an Oct. 27 letter to the University Games chairman coursed through Lozada, Anthony Carlo Agustin, chairman of the WNC committee on sports management and development office, expressed disappointment over the fighting that broke out in the later stages of the game at the Natalio Velez Gym.

The Mustangs won, 59-55, as the game was abandoned with 18 seconds left. WNC went on to win third place in the 22-team event.

While he lamented that some of the WNC players were unable to control their temper because of the physical nature of the game, Agustin said he believes that St. Francis players should also be accountable for their conduct during the fight.

SFAC forfeited the game. The tournament committee recommendation did not indicate what sanctions will be slapped against the SFAC players, who were also involved in the fighting.

Melarin has claimed that he was provoked by St. Francis' Michael Rabor, who planted an elbow in his chest just as WNC called a timeout. Melarin's statement was corroborated by a table official, handling the game scorebook.

A free-for-all ensued following Melarin and Rabor's scuffle with SFAC reserve players clearing the bench and getting involved in the melee that happened on their side of the court.

Three other WNC players --- Rundy Baydo, Rolly Jaca and Briton Javelona --- were suspended for one game for also leaving the bench when former Silay Mayor Edwin Velez berated and shouted at Melarin, who was making his way out of the venue.

Agustin expressed disappointed when he was informed of the suspension at 9 p.m., Friday 14 hours before the Mustangs' semifinal game against eventual champion Far Eastern University.

“The order was served only prior to the FEU game,” he added.

University Games president Roger Banzuela said Luz Sta. Ana, chairman of the Unigames appeals committee, has referred Melarin's case to the Unigames board.

“It's up to the Unigames board how long Melarin will be suspended,” he said.

The WNC-SFAC tiff marked the third time in four years that a fight broke out in a University Games basketball match.

Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod and Adamson University were also involved in a free-for-all at the Po Hang Gym in Oct. 22, 2004. Three days later, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and University of Mindanao 's match at the USLS Coliseum ended in a fistfight at half-court.

The players involved in the fights were not suspended by then tournament manager Joebol Piamonte.

“That is why we changed the tournament managers. Their ground rules were wrong because it did not include suspensions if there are fights,” Banzuela said.

“We also believe that every person deserves a second chance and it is in this light we seek your consideration in the case of Melarin,” Agustin said.*CPT

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